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Guidolin To Return to Swansea Dug-Out For Villa Clash

Francesco Guidolin will return to the Swansea dug-out for Saturday’s crunch clash with Aston Villa after missing the last three games. The Italian, 60, took training Wednesday for the first time since suffering a health scare last month just as he emerged as a surprise contender to take over his national side.

Francesco Guidolin will return to the Swansea dug-out for Saturday’s crunch clash with Aston Villa after missing the last three games.

The Italian, 60, took training Wednesday for the first time since suffering a health scare last month just as he emerged as a surprise contender to take over his national side.

Guidolin has been tipped as a potential successor to Chelsea-bound Antonio Conte when he steps down as Azzurri boss after this summer’s Euro2016 finals in France.

Ex-Udinese chief Guidolin has been linked with the Italy job in the past while his own contract with the Swans runs out at the end of the season.

Guidolin was taken ill after the defeat at Tottenham with a chest infection said to have been brought on by his move to South Wales in January.

He missed the wins over Arsenal and Norwich and despite being released from hospital was advised not to take charge for last Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth.

Guidolin returns for the clash with bottom club Villa at the Liberty Stadium with the Swans eight points above the Premier League drop zone.

Guideline’s side will be all but assured of safety if they see off the the woeful Midlanders.

But Spanish right-back Angel Rangel, 33, admitted: “It’s been a strange and stressful season for us all at the club.

“This is a massive game and we need to extend the gap between ourselves and the teams below us.

“The pressure is firmly on us, and I see it as a must-win game.

“Villa are fighting for their lives, and so are we. We know the situation will look a lot better for us if we win this game. It would make a massive difference.”

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